Toy fire house

ABSTRACT

A toy fire house for providing a male orientated toy building structure. The toy fire house includes a first section pivotally attached to a second section. The first section has a first opening exposing a first interior and the second section has a second opening exposing a second interior. The first opening and the second opening are closed when the first section is pivotally closed with respect to the second section. The second section includes a garage door which allows for the entry and exiting of a fire truck.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to toy buildings and more specifically it relates to a toy fire house for providing a male orientated imaginative toy building structure.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Toy building structures have been in use for years. The best-known type of toy building structure is typically referred to as a “dollhouse”. Conventional dollhouses typically have a female theme which is not attractive to boys. Toy structures for boys typically involve the usage of negative role models such as pirates and criminals.

[0007] Examples of patented devices which may be related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 2,050,892 to Marx; U.S. Pat. No. 4,087,935 to Edmisson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,519 to Becker; U.S. Pat. No. 262,558 to Clanton; U.S. Pat. No. 202,123 to Picco; U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,560 to Lubiniecki; U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,238 to Daiber; U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,076 to Goldstein et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,424 to Kilroy, Jr. et al.

[0008] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing a male orientated toy building structure. Conventional dollhouses do not provide an inviting environment for male children.

[0009] In these respects, the toy fire house according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a male orientated toy building structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toy buildings now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new toy fire house construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a male orientated toy building structure.

[0011] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new toy fire house that has many of the advantages of the toy buildings mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new toy fire house which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art toy buildings, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0012] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a first section pivotally attached to a second section. The first section has a first opening exposing a first interior and the second section has a second opening exposing a second interior. The first opening and the second opening are closed when the first section is pivotally closed with respect to the second section. The second section includes a garage door which allows for the entry and exiting of a fire truck.

[0013] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0015] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a toy fire house that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

[0016] A second object is to provide a toy fire house for providing a male orientated toy building structure.

[0017] Another object is to provide a toy fire house that encourages boys to utilize their imagination within a toy fire house environment.

[0018] An additional object is to provide a toy fire house that allows for children to simulate a firefighters daily life while they are not actively fighting fires.

[0019] A further object is to provide a toy fire house that provides a positive role model for both boys and girls.

[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0021] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0023]FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention in the close position.

[0024]FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention in the open position.

[0025]FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention in the open position with the fire truck positioned within.

[0026]FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present invention in the open position with the garage door closed.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a side view of the second section of the housing structure.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a side view of the first section of the housing structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a toy fire house 10, which comprises a first section 20 pivotally attached to a second section 30. The first section 20 has a first opening exposing a first interior and the second section 30 has a second opening exposing a second interior. The first opening and the second opening are closed when the first section 20 is pivotally closed with respect to the second section 30. The second section 30 includes a garage door 34 which allows for the entry and exiting of a fire truck 60.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, when the first section 20 is closed upon the second section 30 a generally rectangular structure is formed. The first section 20 has a first main floor, a pair of opposing sidewalls, a first rear wall and a first roof 22 forming a rectangular structure. A first opening extends into the first section 20 opposite of first rear wall as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. At least one front door 26 and a plurality of windows 24 are preferably positioned within one of the sidewalls of the first section 20. The exterior of the first section 20 preferably has a simulated brick design.

[0031] An upper floor 28 is preferably positioned within the first section 20 for providing a downstairs and an upstairs within the first section 20. A flight of stairs 40 extend from the main floor of the first section 20 through an opening within the upper floor 28 for providing access between the upstairs and downstairs of the first section 20.

[0032] A slide 42 is attached to the upper floor 28 adjacent the first opening for sliding figurines/characters down from the upstairs to the downstairs as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. The lower end of the slide 42 is preferably attached to the edge of the main floor of the first section 20 so as to be positioned above the main floor of the second section 30 when the first section 20 is closed upon the first section 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. The slide 42 preferably extends straight from the upper floor 28 initially and then is curved in the middle portion to be substantially at an angle with respect to the lower edge of the main floor of the first section 20 as further shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings.

[0033] The second section 30 is pivotally attached to the first section 20 at a corresponding corner thereof using a hinge as best shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. The second section 30 has a second main floor, a second sidewall, a second rear wall and a second roof 32 forming a rectangular structure. A second opening extends into the second section 30 opposite of second rear wall as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. The exterior of the second section 30 preferably has a simulated brick design.

[0034] The second section 30 preferably includes a door opening for receiving a fire truck 60 or similar object. A garage door 34 is movably attached within the second section 30 for selectively closing and opening the door opening as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings. The garage door 34 is preferably comprised of a replicated articulated overhead door structure.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 6, various objects may be positioned within the first section 20 and the second section 30 for simulating a fire house environment. For example, a plurality of beds 44 may be positioned within the upstairs as well as a family room area with chairs, couch and a television of the first section 20. A table set 46 may be positioned upon the first main floor, a plurality of cabinets 48 and kitchen appliances within the first section 20 and a plurality of lockers 50 within the second section 30. Various other objects may be included within the present invention that are commonly utilized within a fire house environment.

[0036] An alarm may be utilized within the present invention wherein a button 52 may be depressed which activates a corresponding electrical circuitry which sounds an audible alarm similar to the sound of an actual firehouse alarm as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The button 52 may be positioned within the interior of the structure as shown in FIG. 2, however the button 52 may be positioned upon the exterior of the structure.

[0037] In use, the user opens the first section 20 and the second section 30 with respect to one another as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. The user is then able to insert and reposition characters (e.g. dolls, figurines, etc.) within the interior portions of the first section 20 and the second section 30 thereby simulating the life of a fireman. If the user desires to simulate a fire situation, the user may slide one or more characters down the slide 42 from the first section 20 to the second section 30 thereafter positioning the characters within the fire truck 60. The user would then elevate the garage door 34 and then remove the fire truck 60 to begin the fire fighting simulation. Various other simulated events may take place within the toy fire house 10. When finished utilizing the toy fire house 10, the user simply closes the first section 20 upon the second section 30. A latch or locking mechanism may be utilized to secure the first section 20 to the second section 30 in a closed position shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

[0038] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0039] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0040] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A toy fire house for simulating a fire house environment, comprising: a first section having a first interior and a first opening; a second section pivotally attached to said first section at a corner, said second section having a second interior and a second opening, wherein said second opening is in opposition to said first opening; and a garage opening within said second section for entering and exiting a toy fire truck.
 2. The toy fire house of claim 1, including a garage door for selectively enclosing and opening said garage opening.
 3. The toy fire house of claim 2, wherein said garage door is an articulated overhead door structure.
 4. The toy fire house of claim 1, wherein said first section includes a main floor and an upper floor.
 5. The toy fire house of claim 4, including a slide attached to said upper floor extending downwardly with a lower end of said slide attached to said main floor.
 6. The toy fire house of claim 5, wherein said lower end of said slide extends over a second main floor of said second section when closed.
 7. The toy fire house of claim 6, wherein said slide has a first section extending straight from said upper floor, a second section having a curved structure, and a third section extending straight and at an angle to an edge of said first section.
 8. The toy fire house of claim 4, including a flight of stairs extending from said main floor to said upper floor.
 9. The toy fire house of claim 1, including a main door within said first section.
 10. The toy fire house of claim 1, including a plurality of windows within said first section.
 11. A toy fire house for simulating a fire house environment, comprising: a first section having a first interior and a first opening; a second section pivotally attached to said first section at a corner, said second section having a second interior and a second opening, wherein said second opening is in opposition to said first opening; wherein said first section and said second section have a closed position and an open position, wherein said closed position completely encloses said first opening and said second opening; and a garage opening within said second section for entering and exiting a toy fire truck.
 12. The toy fire house of claim 11, including a garage door for selectively enclosing and opening said garage opening.
 13. The toy fire house of claim 12, wherein said garage door is an articulated overhead door structure.
 14. The toy fire house of claim 11, wherein said first section includes a main floor and an upper floor.
 15. The toy fire house of claim 14, including a slide attached to said upper floor extending downwardly with a lower end of said slide attached to said main floor.
 16. The toy fire house of claim 15, wherein said lower end of said slide extends over a second main floor of said second section when closed.
 17. The toy fire house of claim 16, wherein said slide has a first section extending straight from said upper floor, a second section having a curved structure, and a third section extending straight and at an angle to an edge of said first section.
 18. The toy fire house of claim 14, including a flight of stairs extending from said main floor to said upper floor.
 19. The toy fire house of claim 11, including a main door within said first section.
 20. The toy fire house of claim 11, including a plurality of windows within said first section. 